After a week of internal bickering, the parliamentary party voted in favor of a motion from party leader Micheal Martin which was backed by his deputy Eamon O Cuiv – days after he had threatened to form a breakaway in the wake of the Presidential election row.

Party whip Seán Ó Fearghaíl said: “The motion was adopted by popular consensus. Under the terms of the motion, the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party endorsed the decision of August 31st not to contest the election or to nominate or endorse a candidate.

“The decision is a firm and final conclusion and it is one with which I believe the public will agree.”
FF Senator O Murchu withdrew his bid to contest the Presidential election after a meeting with party leader Martin before the FF vote was taken.

“Following meetings with the party leader and speculation in the media about his leadership, I do not wish to prolong uncertainty within Fianna Fáil,” said O Murchu.